If you’re tired of high cable prices but don’t want to lose access to your favorite TV channels, this review will be helpful. The streaming service has a price tag lower than cable services and most other live TV streaming options but still has a solid channel lineup for families, movie lovers, and sports fans.
The channel line up for Sling TV is smaller other services, but cord cutters will likely appreciate the flexibility. The streaming service has a good variety of add-ons like the Sports Extra and the Lifestyle Extra to add channels for an additional monthly fee. Sling TV could be a great fit for streamers who want an affordable and flexible streaming option.
Table of contents
| Sling TV specs | |
|---|---|
| Price Range | $40-$55/month |
| Sports Coverage | International and national sports |
| Simultaneous Streams | Up to 3 on Blue plan and 1 on Orange plan |
| DVR Storage | 50 hours |
| On-Demand Movies and TV Shows | Yes |
| Live TV Streaming | Yes, 31-48 channelsAdd-ons available |
| 4K Livestreaming | No |
Our experience with Sling TV
Interface experience
If you are familiar with other live TV streaming services, the Sling TV interface should feel intuitive. The “My TV” screen welcomes subscribers and makes it easy to navigate to your saved channels, DVR recordings, recommendations, and new content.
A section labeled “On Now” in the main menu gives instant access to genre-specific live content. The “Guide” screen, which displays networks and available times in a more conventional grid format, is more practical. However, the channels aren’t organized alphabetically, which can slow down your search.
The “Sports” tab organizes content based on various sports categories, from the most popular to the most obscure. The “Rentals” section of the website and some devices allow users to rent movies for standard prices, similar to Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
The platform does include a search function on its navigation bar, but it’s less quick and intuitive than some competitors, like YouTube TV. Nevertheless, users receive detailed information about the content once a program is selected and can watch or record with user-friendly playback controls.
Content
For $40 a month, Sling TV’s Orange plan provides access to over 30 channels, including mainstays like CNN, HGTV, Disney Channel, A&E, and the History Channel. At the same price point, the Blue plan has around 39 channels and offers FX, Bravo, and the Discovery Channel, among others.
Sling TV’s base plans might feel a bit limited for sports enthusiasts. The Orange plan offers channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, MotorTrend, TNT, and TBS. Meanwhile, the Blue plan comes with the NFL Network, TBS, TNT, USA, and FS1. If you opt for the combined Orange & Blue package, it offers a mix of both. To get the full sports experience, you’ll need to upgrade with the sports add-on for an extra $11 monthly.
The Orange Sports Extra package expands the sports offerings with channels like ACC Network, ESPNews, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network, among others. The Sports Extra add-on includes channels like the Big Ten Network, NFL RedZone, Golf Channel, and more for those on the Blue plan.
DVR and recordings
One downside to Sling TV is its limited DVR storage. With a standard subscription, users only get 50 hours of DVR storage. There’s an option to expand that to 200 hours, but it comes with a $5 monthly fee. This storage offering lags behind some of Sling’s competitors in the live TV streaming space. For example, YouTube TV, Philo, and Hulu + Live TV all provide unlimited DVR storage, which is a huge draw for sports fans who might want to record games regularly to watch later.
When recording on Sling, the process begins when you hit “record,” so you won’t catch the full game if you start recording after it’s already started. The oldest content gets deleted to make room for newer recordings as storage fills up. However, with the DVR Plus upgrade, there’s an option to safeguard specific recordings, ensuring they aren’t automatically deleted to free up space.
Viewing experience and video quality
Although Sling TV’s live streaming service runs smoothly, the video quality might not be ultra-high definition. Most of the content on Sling TV seemed to be delivered in 720p. This resolution is consistent with many other livestreaming platforms. However, users need to be aware that the speed of their Wi-Fi or home network will significantly impact the video quality they receive.
One interesting feature that Sling TV offers is the flexibility to adjust the video quality if you’re noticing interruptions when streaming. Options range from “Best” to “Low,” allowing viewers to select the level that best works with their internet connection.
Personalization and security
Unfortunately, Sling TV doesn’t have an option for personalized profiles yet. However, there are parental control features. With the controls, you can restrict access to content based on its rating using a passcode. This feature is very helpful for if you want to prevent kids from viewing content that’s not suitable for their age, like R-rated movies.
Sports fans: Yay or nay?
Sling Orange is tailored more towards sports enthusiasts compared to Sling Blue. For the ultimate sports experience, combining both Sling Orange & Blue is the way to go. Anyone who wants to watch their favorite teams with regional sports networks will be disappointed by the offerings on Sling TV, especially compared to some other services. This might be a consideration for those who prioritize local sports coverage. But with channels like ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TNT, and NFL Network included, sports aficionados will be able to watch many nationally televised games.
Sling TV compared to other streaming services
| Streaming Service | Cost per Month | Free Trial | DVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sling TV | $40+ | No | 50 hrs |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99+ | Yes | Unlimited |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $86.99+ | Yes | Unlimited |
| YouTube TV | $72.99+ | Yes | Unlimited |
| Fubo | $79.99+ | Yes | Unlimited |
Because of its low monthly fee, Sling TV stands out among other streaming services. Value-wise, especially for sports fans, their combined Orange and Blue plan is hard to beat. While platforms like Hulu + Live TV and DIRECTV STREAM might have heftier price tags, they do offer a wider variety of channels and more diversity in viewing. Streamers like YouTube TV also offer unlimited DVR storage in comparison to Sling TV’s 50 hours. On the downside, Sling TV doesn’t have a free trial period. But they do usually have deals for new subscribers, like the current deal for 50% off the first month with Sling TV.
How to subscribe to Sling TV
- Open your preferred web browser and visit Sling.com.
- Browse the available Sling TV plans and choose the one that suits your needs.
- Click on your chosen plan to proceed.
- Register for an account by providing a valid email address and creating a password.
- Review the details of your selected plan. At this stage, you can also add any additional channels or services to your subscription.
- Once you’re satisfied with your selection, click on “Check Out”.
- Fill in your payment details.
- After confirming all the information is correct, click on “Finish & Submit”.
- Once your account is set up, sign in to start enjoying your chosen content on Sling TV.
- Your credit card will be automatically charged monthly until you cancel. You’ll retain access to your subscription until the end of the current billing cycle.
Final Take: Is Sling TV worth it?
Sling TV is one of the most affordable options for watching live TV, automatically making it the best choice for the most budget-conscious cord cutters. You can also customize your streaming experience with add-ons tailored to your viewing interests. This means that fans can purchase an extra package featuring more sports action. Even though Sling TV does not have as many channels as some other streaming services, it is still a good deal for those on a budget who want to watch sports, news, and primetime TV.
FAQ
Can I watch Sling TV for free?
Sling TV doesn’t offer a free trial. However, new subscribers can benefit from a 50% discount on their first month. Plus, canceling the service is straightforward and hassle-free.
Do you need internet for Sling TV?
To watch shows, movies, or live events on Sling TV, a reliable internet connection is essential. Without it, you won’t be able to access the service’s content.
Can I watch sports on Sling TV?
Yes, you can watch sports on Sling TV. Sling TV offers various sports channels like ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, NFL Network, and FS1, depending on the package you choose.
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